Tarasios imperial spatharios and epi ton deeseon (ninth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type VIII?). In the quarters: Σ|Λ : [τῷ] σῷ [δού]λῳ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines preceded and followed by a row of pellets. Border of dots.
ΤΡ
ΒΣΠ
ΙΕΠ
ΗΣΕ
Ταρ[ασί]ῳ β(ασιλικῷ) σπ[αθαρ]ίῳ (καὶ) ἐπ[ὶ τ(ὼν) δε]ήσε[ων]
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type VIII?). In the quarters: Σ|Λ : [τῷ] σῷ [δού]λῳ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines preceded and followed by a row of pellets. Border of dots.
ΤΡ
ΒΣΠ
ΙΕΠ
ΗΣΕ
Ταρ[ασί]ῳ β(ασιλικῷ) σπ[αθαρ]ίῳ (καὶ) ἐπ[ὶ τ(ὼν) δε]ήσε[ων]
| Accession number | BZS 1947.2.588 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm; field: 27.0 mm |
| Condition | Broken; half preserved. |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5, no. 6.5. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ταρασίῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ καὶ ἐπὶ τὼν δεήσεων.
Lord, help your servant Tarasios, imperial spatharios and epi ton deeseon.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
In the first edition of this seal published in DO Seals 5, the restored reading was "Tarasios imperial spatharios and epoptes of Seleukeia"; but in light of a proposed reconstruction from W. Seibt (BZ 100 [2007]: 232), we have changed the reading of the last two lines. This reading "master of petitions" makes more sense from the lettering and the context, since, as admitted in the commentary to the first edition, it would be difficult to explain the presence of an epoptes in the kleisoura of Seleukeia.